My previous posts tell how I was opened up twice to get the CRT-D pacemaker into my body and wired up. Unfortunately, the left ventricle wire was touching the Phrenic nerve and I jump everytime the pacemaker kicked in a bit like the dead frogs leg attached to a battery. In the end they switched it off.

10 weeks latter I'm back in to be opened up for a third time. My EP wasn't taking any chances took along all the full pacemaker tool kit, two other EP's and an expert from the makers of the pacemaker. This was in addition to the other theatre staff.

The procedure should have taken an hour but took three hours and they finally got the wire in place. The next day I had the pacemaker configured and now, as I type this, the world is a far better place - even though my shoulder is on fire and I am doped up with pain killers.

I hope to have the CRT-D pacemaker fully switch on and working by Christmas. I had hoped to get some celebrity to do the actual turning on (like they do with Christmas lights) but this attempt at humour fell flat.

For those considering the CRT Option I would say go for it. It offers the best chance of getting back to normality there is.

I have to admit I don't really understand anything about CRT-D pacemakers. Do they differ to a normal pacemaker? It sounds as though everything went well this time and I hope your painful shoulder soon eases. Why is there a wait before the pacemaker is fully switched on?

My heart has dodgy spark plug and this means that it beats erratically. A CRT Pacemaker will essentially synchronise the beating of both ventricles, reducing the pressure within my heart and making it more efficient.

For this to work a CRT pacemaker is implanted in my chest and leads are placed into the right and left ventricles. After it’s all in place they will burn out my hearts natural pacemaker leaving me dependant on the electronic pacemaker for the rest of my life. (this is the bit that freaks people out).

The D bit stands for Defibrillator – it just sits there monitoring my heart waiting for a lethal heart rhythm to develop. If I do develop one of these rhythms it will shock my heart back to normality.

A normal pacemaker has one lead into the right ventricle (?). It works in conjunction with your own natural pacemaker. Kicking in when the heart beats drops down to a dangerous level.

Thanks for your clear explanation Ogilvie. It's absolutely amazing what can be carried out to the heart in order for us to feel better. I hope this will improve your life greatly and I'll be interested to hear you report back on how successful it is. Jean

I've got one too and it's been great, it was scary thinking it was reliant on a little box to make my heart beat but as my body wasn't doing it properly any more I soon got over that fear!! Unfortunately I still take lots of medication but overall I am happy, and I felt better immediately. Merry Christmas to one and all x